Valletta FC, who have been a struggling team in the past few seasons, seem to have made the best acquisitions so far in the local transfer market.

The club have acquired goalkeeper Saviour Darmanin, midfielder David Camilleri and striker Dyson Falzon in a move whereby coach Paul Zammit is certainly solidifying the backbone of the side.

And when Massimo Grima is able to return to the side after injury, the squad will be further strengthened as, in all probability, Camilleri will have to play in the heart of the defence to fill the central position.

With Gilbert Agius staying at the club, there is every probability that the citizens will be back in the hunt for some silverware this season.

Very active in the market once again were Sliema Wanderers with their new signings being Zdenek Svoboda from Slovakia, Chucks Nwoko from Birkirkara, Clifton Ciantar from Floriana and Mark Galea from Pieta. Returning to the side from last year’s loan periods are Ian Ciantar, Claude Mattocks, Brandon Zammit, Andrew Scerri and Matthew Farrugia, while Sharlon Pace has joined the Blues on loan from Valletta.

Champions Birkirkara have registered four foreigners after failing to renew the contracts of last season’s three. They now have Hatim Sbai, Andrzej Bledzewski, Angelo Paradiso and Guido Gallovich among their ranks, although it is possible that there might be some change during the season. Returning to their ranks from last season’s loan periods are Thomas Paris, Alan Tabone and Martin Anastasi.

Marsaxlokk have not been so active yet, although their top capture was new coach Brian Talbot, formerly of Hibernians fame. He is set to bring over an English player to join the squad which will include Daniel Bogdanovic, returning after a loan spell at Sliema, as well as Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha da Silva. Leaving their ranks are Portuguese players Nuno Gomes and Wendell Gomes, as well as Chucks Nwoko and David Camilleri.

Floriana have also announced that Joe Grech will be their new coach. Matthew Camilleri has returned from a loan spell at Sliema, but the club will also have another goalie, Simon Agius, who guarded their posts last year, as well as veteran midfielder Joe Brincat and Adrian Mifsud.

Hibernians have re-signed Ndubuisi Chukunyere and another foreigner, Danijel Buzurovic while Kevin Cassar, Jonathan Caruana, Matthew Bartolo and Ivan Cassar are returning to the squad after a loan spell last season.

Newcomers Marsa and St George’s still have to emerge on the transfer market. Marsa have not made one new signing so far, while St George’s are expected to retain Lawrence Mizzi, Joe Mizzi, Heatcliff Schembri, Terry Abela and Larson Pace, all returning from loan spells last season.

Pieta Hotspurs have appointed an Italian, Davide Vittorio, as their new coach. They have also acquired the services of Angelo Tasca while Daniel Theuma and Anatole Debono are returning to the squad.

Msida St Joseph also have a new coach in Patrick Curmi. Their new players will be Pio Sciriha, Emil Yanchev and Adrian Farrugia.